New Guidelines Now In Effect For Marijuana Products In Colorado

DENVER (CBS4) – As of Oct.1 new guidelines are in effect for medical and recreational pot products.

Packing on marijuana-infused products must say “Keep out of the reach of children,” cannot say “candy” or “candies,” and every package must feature the universal symbol indicating the product contains marijuana.

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“So the medical has an ‘M’ in it and the recreational are just going to be exclamation points with ‘THC’,” Samantha Black, manager of Sticky Buds in Denver, showed CBS4.

According to the new state guidelines, edible marijuana products must also be stamped or imprinted with the symbol. The rules are an effort to ensure such items are easily identifiable and don’t end up in the wrong hands.

“They did this so it would be a little less enticing for children and for parents to know which is an infused product,” Black said. “Now you don’t have to taste or smell or look into that product as much because it will be labeled this is a marijuana infused product.”

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Black said the guidelines are beneficial for parents, but they’re also a bit of a headache for manufacturers and dispensaries.

“I don’t want to say a struggle,” she said. “But it is a lot of money to go out to make sure all your bottles that you previously had are now updated correctly.”

Retailers have until the end of November to sell all items not yet properly packaged. By Dec. 1 retail stores and medical centers may only sell marijuana marked with the universal symbol.

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“Our priority is protecting the public health and safety of all Coloradans,” Barbara Brohl, executive director of the Colorado Department of Revenue said in a press release sent to CBS4. “We collaborated extensively with all stakeholders to develop sensible rules that will provide consumers more information about what they’re buying and to ensure marijuana stays out of the hands of children.”

Kelly Werthmann joined the CBS4 team in 2012 as the morning reporter, covering national stories like the Aurora Theater Shooting and devastating Colorado wildfires. She now anchors CBS4 Weekend Morning News and reports during the week. Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter @KellyCBS4.